Webinar: The Impact of Covid-19 on the Health Status and Economies of the Middle East

The Covid-19 pandemic has threatened public health and upended economies around the globe. In the Middle East, the pandemic has exacerbated existing instabilities, leading to new questions about the region’s future. Mass protests in Lebanon are but one example. Another example is the dramatic, worldwide drop in oil prices that has challenged the strategic thinking of Gulf states whose economies are dependent on hydrocarbons. High numbers of reported Covid-19 cases in Turkey and the precarious health situation facing refugees from Syria also pose major regional challenges. Moreover, longstanding issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are made even more complicated as the coronavirus alters daily life and “facts on the ground.” At this webinar, a panel of experts analyzed the challenges facing the Middle East and answered questions from viewers.